Footwear With Transformation System

ABSTRACT

Footwear includes a base member including a outsole and at least of a portion of an upper rigidly secured to the outsole, a first footbed including an insole securable to the base member with at least a portion of the first footbed located within the portion of the upper, and a second footbed including an insole securable to the base member with at least a portion of the second footbed located within the portion of the upper rigidly secured to the outsole. The first and second footbeds are interchangeably secured to the base member by a snap lock connection formed by a plurality protrusions that resiliently snap into a plurality of cooperating recesses to form an interlock to selectively form different configurations of the footwear. The first and second footbeds can each include another portion of the upper.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention generally relates to footwear, andmore particularly to footwear with interchangeable components totransform the footwear into different configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fashion dictates that a wide variety of different shoes are necessary tobe owned. Additionally, different activities or conditions dictates thata wide variety of different shoes are necessary to be owned. However,owning a sufficient number of shoes can be extremely costly. As a resultthere have been many attempts to provide shoes with interchangeablecomponents in order to reduce the number shoes that must be purchased.The attempts have provided less than desirable results.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved footwear with interchangeablecomponents that transform the footwear into different configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are footwear with a transformation system whichovercome at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art. Disclosed isfootwear comprising, in combination, a base member including a outsoleand at least of a portion of an upper rigidly secured to the outsole anda footbed including an insole removably secured to the base member withat least a portion of the footbed located within the portion of theupper rigidly secured to the outsole. The footbed and the base memberare removably secured together by a snap lock connection formed by aplurality protrusions that resiliently snap into a plurality ofcooperating recesses to form an interlock.

Also disclosed is footwear comprising, in combination, a base memberincluding a outsole and a first portion of an upper rigidly secured tothe outsole and a footbed including an insole and a second portion ofthe upper rigidly secured to the footbed. The footbed is removablysecured to the base member with at least a portion of the footbedlocated within the first portion of the upper rigidly secured to theoutsole.

Also disclosed is footwear comprising, in combination, a base memberincluding a outsole and at least of a portion of an upper rigidlysecured to the outsole, a first footbed including an insole securable tothe base member with at least a portion of the first footbed locatedwithin the portion of the upper, and a second footbed including aninsole securable to the base member with at least a portion of thesecond footbed located within the portion of the upper rigidly securedto the outsole. The first and second footbeds are interchangeablysecured to the base member by a snap lock connection formed by aplurality protrusions that resiliently snap into a plurality ofcooperating recesses to form an interlock.

From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detaileddescription of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the present invention provides asignificant advance in the technology and art of footwear. Particularlysignificant in this regard is the potential the invention affords forproviding an easy to use, easy to transform footwear that is relativelyinexpensive and simple in design. Additional features and advantages ofvarious preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of thedetailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparentwith reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of footwear with a transformation systemaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged right side view of a base member of the footwearFIG. 1 which includes a footwear outsole and a portion of a footwearupper.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the outsole of the base member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is bottom view of the outsole of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but wherein a portionof a footbed is removably secured within the outsole.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but wherein a portionof a footbed is removably secured within the outsole.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a first footbed of thefootwear of FIG. 1 which includes an insole and a portion of the upper.

FIG. 10 is top view of the first footbed of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is bottom view of the first footbed of FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 12 is right side view of the first footbed of FIGS. 9 to 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a second footbed of thefootwear of FIG. 1 which includes an insole and a portion of the upper.

FIG. 14 is bottom view of the second footbed of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is right side view of the second footbed of FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a second footbed of thefootwear of FIG. 1 which includes an insole and a portion of the upper.

FIG. 17 is bottom view of the second footbed of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is right side view of the second footbed of FIGS. 16 and 17.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarilyto scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variouspreferred features illustrative of the basic principles of theinvention. The specific design features of the footwear as disclosedherein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations,locations, and shapes of the various components, will be determined inpart by the particular intended application and use environment. Certainfeatures of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distortedrelative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding.In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarityor illustration. All references to direction and position, unlessotherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the footwearillustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those whohave knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many usesand design variations are possible for the improved footwear disclosedherein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative andpreferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of theinvention with regard to footwear in the form of clogs. Otherembodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates footwear or a shoe 10having a transformation system according to the present invention. Theillustrated footwear 10 includes a base member 12 having a outsole 14and at least of a portion of an upper 16 rigidly secured to the outsole14, a first footbed 18A including an insole 20 securable to the basemember 12 with at least a portion of the first footbed 18A locatedwithin the portion of the upper 16 rigidly secured to the outsole 14, asecond footbed 18B including an insole 20 securable to the base member12 with at least a portion of the second footbed 18B located within theportion of the upper 16 rigidly secured to the outsole 14, and a thirdfootbed 18C including an insole 20 securable to the base member 12 withat least a portion of the third footbed 18C located within the portionof the upper 16 rigidly secured to the outsole 14. The first, second andthird footbeds 18A, 18B, 18C are interchangeably secured to the basemember 12 to secretively form different configurations of the footwear10 and are removably secured by a snap fit or snap lock connection 22formed by a plurality protrusions 24 that resiliently snap into aplurality of cooperating recesses 26 to form an interlock.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary base member 12 forming the entireoutsole 14 and at least a first portion 16A of the upper 16 rigidly orpermanently secured to the outsole 14. The illustrated first portion ofthe upper 16A is in the form of a clog which has a section secured toforward end of the outsole 14 to form interior space having a rearwardfacing opening configured to receive the forward portion of a wearer'sfoot therein. The illustrated first portion of the upper 16A alsoincludes a relatively short section that extends around the perimeter ofthe rear end of the outsole 14 at a top of the outsole 14. Theillustrated first portion of the upper 16A comprises a syntheticmaterial that is wipeable and stain resistant to keep clean but anyother suitable material can alternatively be utilized. The illustratedfirst portion of the upper 16A is rigidly or permanently secured to theoutsole 14 by stitching 28 but it is noted that it can alternatively berigidly secured to the outsole 14 in any other suitable manner. Thefirst portion of the upper 16A is preferably secured to the outsole 14by Opanka construction which is hand-crafted shoe construction method inwhich the upper 16A is attached to the outsole 14 with a heavy waxedthread making the footwear extremely flexible. The heavy waxed threadingis used instead of a normal stitch to increase the flexibility of theshoe 10. The thread allows the upper 16A and the outsole 14 to move withthe natural movement of the foot. The illustrated first portion of theupper 16A is provided with a 4-way stretch neoprene flexible section 30at a central portion of rearward edge which may engage a wearer's ankleor foot just below the ankle in order to improve comfort. Theillustrated first portion of the upper 16A is also provided with a toecover 32 at a forward end of the first portion of the upper 16Acomprising a high abrasion material in order to reduce damage or wear atthe forward end of the first portion of the upper 16A. The illustratedfirst portion of the upper 16A is also provided with a charm holder 34that is permanently attached to the first portion of the upper 16A sothat the wearer can interchangeably attach charms to the first portionof the upper 16A. It is noted that the first portion of the upper 16Acan alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate an exemplary outsole 14. The illustrated outsole14 includes a heel 36 at the bottom rearward end and forms an upwardfacing cavity 38 along the top which is configured to receive a bottomportion of the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C. The illustrated outsole 14 has athree-part construction of molded materials. The main body 40 of theoutsole 14 is molded of a high density polyurethane. The bottom surfaceof the outsole is formed by a molded rubber outsole skin 42 whichprovides a slip-resistant bottom tread surface. A soft or low densitypolyurethane portion 44 is molded in a central portion of the outsolebetween the upper surface formed by the high density poly urethane mainbody 40 and the rubber outsole skin 42. This construction provides acomfortable, durable, and slip resistant construction. It is noted thatthe outsole 14 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the snap lock connection 22 between the basemember 12 and the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C formed by a pluralityprotrusions 24 on the outsole 14 that resiliently snap into a pluralityof cooperating recesses 26 in the bottom of the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C toform an interlock therebetween so that the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C isremovably secured to the outsole 14 when the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C iswithin the cavity 38 on the top of the outsole 14. While the illustratedprotrusions 24 are formed by the base member 12 and the illustratedrecesses 26 are formed by the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C, they can bereversed if desired but it may require adjustment of materials. Theprotrusions 24 are a plurality of laterally extending and longitudinallyspaced-apart (in the forward/rearward direction) ribs or rails. Theillustrated ribs 24 extend vertically upward from the top of the outsole14 and form lips 46 at forward and rearward sides near the top of eachrib 24. The lips 46 form downward facing abutments. The illustratedrecesses 26 are a plurality of laterally extending and longitudinallyspaced-apart (in the forward/rearward direction) channels or groovesthat are configured to cooperate with the protrusions to form thesnap-lock connection 22. The illustrated channels 26 extend verticallyupward from the bottom of the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C and form lips 48 atforward and rearward sides near the top of each channel 26. The lips 48form upward facing abutments which engage the downward facing abutmentsof the ribs 26 when the ribs 24 are fully within the channels 26 to forman interlock therebetween that secures the footbed t18A, 18B, 18C o theoutsole 14. One or both of the ribs and channels 24, 26 are formed of asuitably resilient material such that the ribs 24 can be resilientlysnapped into and out of the channels 26 and form a suitable interlockwhen snapped therein. The illustrated embodiment includes three of theribs 24 and three of the channels 26 but it is noted that any othersuitable quantity can be alternatively utilized. It is noted that theprotrusions 24 and/or recesses 26 can alternatively have any othersuitable configuration.

The illustrated protrusions 24 and the recesses 26 are each locateddirectly above the heel 36 of the outsole 14 but it is noted that theycan alternatively have any other suitable location. The illustratedembodiment also includes detents 50, 52 at the forward and rearward endsof the footwear 10 to further removable secure the footbed 18A, 18B, 18Cto the outsole 14. The first detent 50 is formed by a horizontal andlaterally disposed protrusion 54 of the footbed t18A, 18B, 18C hatrearwardly extends from the rear end of the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C and acooperating horizontal and laterally disposed opening or recess 56 ofthe outsole 14 that forwardly faces from the rear end of the outsole 14within the cavity 38. The protrusion 54 is resiliently snapped into andout of the opening 56 to removable secure the rear end of the footbedt18A, 181B, 18C o the outsole 14. The second detent 52 is formed by ahorizontal and laterally disposed protrusion 58 of the footbed 18A, 18B,18C that forwardly extends from the front end of the footbed 18A, 18B,18C and a cooperating horizontal and laterally disposed opening orrecess 60 of the outsole 14 that rearwardly faces from the front end ofthe outsole 14 within the cavity 38. The protrusion 58 is resilientlysnapped into and out of the opening 60 to removable secure the front endof the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C to the outsole 14. While the illustratedprotrusions 58 are formed by the footbed 18A, 18B, 18C and theillustrated openings 60 are formed by the outsole 14, they can bereversed if desired but it may require adjustment of materials. One orboth of the protrusions and openings 58, 60 are formed of a suitablyresilient material such that the protrusions 58 can be resilientlysnapped into and out of the openings 60 and form a suitable interlockwhen snapped therein.

FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate the first exemplary footbed 18A. Theillustrated first footbed 18A forms the insole 20 at an upper sidethereof and is sized and shaped to completely fill the cavity 38 of theoutsole 14 when secured thereto as described above. A main body of theillustrated first footbed 18A is molded of Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)but any other suitable material can alternatively be utilized. Thebottom surface of the illustrated first footbed 18A forward of the ribsis provided with a slip-resistant bottom tread surface in order toreduce relative movement between the first footbed 18A and the outsole14. A gel 62 is molded into the first footbed 18A at a rear end of thetop of the first footbed 18A above the heel 36 of the outsole 14 where aheel of the wearer engages the first footbed 18A. The remainder of theupper surface of the illustrated first footbed covered with a moisturemanagement and anti microbial lining 64. This construction provides acomfortable, durable, and slip resistant construction. It is noted thatthe first footbed 18A can alternatively have any other suitableconfiguration.

FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate the second exemplary footbed 18B. Theillustrated second footbed 18B is substantially the same as theillustrated first footbed 18A described above except that theillustrated second footbed 18B also includes a second portion of theupper 16B. The illustrated second portion of the upper 16B is rearwardlyextending strap configured to extend about the rear of the wearer'sfoot.

FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate the third exemplary footbed 18C. Theillustrated third footbed 18C is substantially the same as theillustrated second footbed 18B described above except that the secondportion of the upper 16B is rearwardly extending enclosure configured toextend about and cover the entire rear portion of the wearer's footrather than being partially open like in the illustrated second footbed.

While the illustrated embodiment of the footwear 10 includes three ofthe footbeds 18A, 18B, 18C, it should be understood that a greater orlesser quantity of the footbeds 18A, 18B, 18C can alternatively beutilized to be interchangeably secured to the base member 12 to changethe configuration of the footwear 10. It should also be appreciated thatthe footbeds 18A, 18B, 18C can have alternatively have any otherdesirable configuration.

It is noted that each of the features and variations of the abovedisclosed embodiments can be used in any combination which each of theother embodiments.

From the foregoing disclosure it is apparent that the footwear of thepresent invention addresses the previously mentioned needs in the art byproviding a system and method that quickly, consistently, accurately andsafely determines transforms the footwear into different configurationsas to both comfort and style.

From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certainpreferred embodiments, it is also apparent that various modifications,additions and other alternative embodiments are possible withoutdeparting from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. Theembodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the bestillustration of the principles of the present invention and itspractical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the artto utilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the presentinvention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted inaccordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, andequitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. Footwear comprising, in combination: a basemember including a outsole and at least of a portion of an upper rigidlysecured to the outsole; a footbed including an insole removably securedto the base member with at least a portion of the footbed located withinthe portion of the upper rigidly secured to the outsole; and wherein thefootbed and the base member are removably secured together by a snaplock connection formed by a plurality protrusions that resiliently snapinto a plurality of cooperating recesses to form an interlock.
 2. Thefootwear according to claim 1, wherein the footbed includes anotherportion of the upper rigidly secured to the footbed.
 3. The footwearaccording to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are formed by the basemember and the recesses are formed by the footbed.
 4. The footwearaccording to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are a plurality oflaterally extending and spaced-apart ribs and the recesses are aplurality of laterally extending and spaced apart channels.
 5. Thefootwear according to claim 4, wherein there are three of the ribs andthree of the channels.
 6. The footwear according to claim 4, wherein theprotrusions are formed by the base member and the recesses are formed bythe footbed.
 7. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein theprotrusions and the recesses are located above a heel of the outsole. 8.Footwear comprising, in combination: a base member including a outsoleand a first portion of an upper rigidly secured to the outsole; afootbed including an insole and a second portion of the upper rigidlysecured to the footbed; and wherein the footbed is removably secured tothe base member with at least a portion of the footbed located withinthe first portion of the upper rigidly secured to the outsole;
 9. Thefootwear according to claim 8, wherein the footbed includes anotherportion of the upper rigidly secured to the footbed, wherein the footbedand the base member are removably secured together by a snap lockconnection formed by a plurality protrusions that resiliently snap intoa plurality of cooperating recesses to form an interlock.
 10. Thefootwear according to claim 9, wherein the protrusions are formed by thebase member and the recesses are formed by the footbed.
 11. The footwearaccording to claim 9, wherein the protrusions are a plurality oflaterally extending and spaced-apart ribs and the recesses are aplurality of laterally extending and spaced apart channels.
 12. Thefootwear according to claim 11, wherein there are three of the ribs andthree of the channels.
 13. The footwear according to claim 11, whereinthe protrusions are formed by the base member and the recesses areformed by the footbed.
 14. The footwear according to claim 11, whereinthe protrusions and the recesses are located above a heel of theoutsole.
 15. Footwear comprising, in combination: a base memberincluding a outsole and at least of a portion of an upper rigidlysecured to the outsole; a first footbed including an insole securable tothe base member with at least a portion of the first footbed locatedwithin the portion of the upper rigidly secured to the outsole; and asecond footbed including an insole securable to the base member with atleast a portion of the second footbed located within the portion of theupper rigidly secured to the outsole; and wherein the first and secondfootbeds are interchangeably secured to the base member by a snap lockconnection formed by a plurality protrusions that resiliently snap intoa plurality of cooperating recesses to form an interlock.
 16. Thefootwear according to claim 15, wherein the first and second footbedseach include another portion of the upper rigidly secured to the firstand second footbeds respectively.
 17. The footwear according to claim15, wherein the protrusions are a plurality of laterally extending andspaced-apart ribs and the recesses are a plurality of laterallyextending and spaced apart channels.
 18. The footwear according to claim17, wherein there are three of the ribs and three of the channels. 19.The footwear according to claim 17, wherein the protrusions are formedby the base member and the recesses are formed by the first and secondfootbeds.
 20. The footwear according to claim 17, wherein theprotrusions and the recesses are located above a heel of the outsole.